Superimposed optimization methods for the mixed equilibrium problem and variational inclusion

The purpose of this paper is to construct two superimposed optimization methods for solving the mixed equilibrium problem and variational inclusion. We show that the proposed superimposed methods converge strongly to a solution of some optimization problem. Note that our methods do not involve any projection.     

Chemical Constituents of the Roots of Phlomis betonicoides and Their Anti-Rotavirus Activity

Chemistry of Natural Compounds - Two new isobenzofuranone derivatives (1 and 2) together with six known compounds (3–8) were isolated from the roots of Phlomis betonicoides, a highly sweet...     

Sustainable cationic cellulose for highly efficient flocculation of Kaolin suspension

Cellulose - Green bio-flocculants from renewable biomass resources have received the widespread attention for wastewater treatment, which are promising alternatives to petroleum-based synthetic...     

Editorial for Special Issue on Terahertz Technologies and Applications

Terahertz radiation,defined in the frequency range of 0.1-10 THz,has been exploited to demonstrate unique properties that do not apply to the adjacent domains of the electromagnetic waves,such as infrared and microwave.Recent advances in terahertz science and technology hold promise for a wide variety of essential applications,particularly in spectroscopy,sensing,imaging,non-destructive detections,and communications.This focus issue is comprised of invited and contributed original     

Synthesis and characterization of novel elastomeric poly(D,L-lactide urethane) maleate composites for bone tissue engineering

Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a novel 4-arm poly(lactic acid urethane)-maleate (4PLAUMA) elastomer and its composites with nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) as potential weight-bearing composite. The 4PLAUMA/nHA ratios of the composites were 1:3, 2:5, 1:2 and 1:1. FTIR and NMR characterization showed urethane and maleate units integrated into the PLA matrix. Energy dispersion and Auger electron spectroscopy confirmed homogeneous distribution of nHA in the polymer matrix. Maximum moduli and strength of the composites of 4PLAUMA/nHA, respectively, are 1973.31 ± 298.53 MPa and 78.10 ± 3.82 MPa for compression, 3630.46 ± 528.32 MPa and 6.23 ± 1.44 MPa for tension, 1810.42 ± 86.10 MPa and 13.00 ± 0.72 for bending, and 282.46 ± 24.91 MPa and 5.20 ± 0.85 MPa for torsion. The maximum tensile strains of the polymer and composites are in the range of 5–93%, and their maximum torsional strains vary from 0.26 to 0.90. The composites exhibited very slow degradation rates in aqueous solution, from approximately 50% mass remaining for the pure polymer to 75% mass remaining for composites with high nHA contents, after a period of 8 weeks. Increase in ceramic content increased mechanical properties, but decreased maximum strain, degradation rate, and swelling of the composites. Human bone marrow stem cells and human endothelial cells adhered and proliferated on 4PLAUMA films and degradation products of the composites showed little-to-no toxicity. These results demonstrate that novel 4-arm poly(lactic acid urethane)-maleate (4PLAUMA) elastomer and its nHA composites may have potential applications in regenerative medicine.     

Highly rectified ion transport through 2D WSe2/MoS2 bi-layered membranes

Through a two-step vacuum-filtration process, WSe₂ and MoS₂ nanosheets were sequentially deposited onto a polymeric nanoporous support, forming WSe₂/MoS₂ bi-layered heterostructure. Highly rectified ion transport phenomenon is observed through the heterogeneous 2D layered membranes.     

Pd‐catalyzed homocoupling of arylhydrazines via C―N cleavage under O2

An efficient and simple synthetic method for biaryl synthesis was developed using Pd(OAc)₂ as catalyst from aryl hydrazides under O₂. Various biaryls were synthesized in good yields, offering an expedient protocol for the synthesis of symmetrical biaryl molecules via C―N cleavage. The reactions were performed in component solvent of toluene and acetone without using any pro‐oxidant. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Prospects for p̄p → ȲY studies at PANDA

Strangeness and charm production provide an excellent probe of QCD in the confinement domain. With the PANDA detector at FAIR, this can be studied in e.g., hyperon production in the p?p → ?Y reactions. In PANDA, all ground state strange hyperons and single charmed Λ’s will be accessible. Simulations show that the differential cross sections and spin observables can be well reconstructed for these reaction channels.     

A three-dimensional in vitro culture model for primary neonatal rat ventricular myocytes

To overcome bad prognosis of patients with heart failure and the lack of organ donors, cardiac tissue engineering has developed as a biomimetic approach to repair, replace, and regenerate the damaged cardiac tissue. During the past decade years, researchers are devoted to find different natural and/or synthetic materials that can build appropriate physical structures to contain and organize implanted cells. In this study, we present a new method for primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes culture in vitro using alginate/collagen/chitosan hydrogel. To investigate the feasibility of this material as scaffold for cardiac myocytes, neonatal rat ventricular myocytes were isolated and encapsulated in alginate-based beads cross-linked with calcium ion. The growth of cells was evaluated by staining with α-Sarcomeric actin (α-SCA) and Troponin T type 2 (TNNT2), and the viability of cardiomyocytes was studied in vitro by assessing the expression levels of several cardiac ion channels, including CACNL1A1, Connexin 43 and SCN5A. The results showed a significant increase in cardiac myocytes number, and the expression levels of CACNL1A1, Connexin 43 (Cx43) were up-regulated significantly except SCN5A, as compared with two-dimensional cultures. Moreover, extracellular matrix produced by the seeded cells themselves was observed by staining with fibronectin. Taken together, these findings indicate that this alginate/collagen/chitosan hydrogel bead is suitable for supporting the growth and retaining the morphologic and electrophysiologic characteristics of primary cultured rat cardiac muscle cells.